RoadVitals

2001 Chevrolet Impala Visibility Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the visibility system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Visibility reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
18
Latest May 31, 2021
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
2%
of 742 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
1
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2001 Chevrolet Impala submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 18 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming visibility

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

ElectricalVisibility
Filed May 31, 2021

I have a 2001 Chevy impala and it has an instrument cluster issue with faulty warning lights and locking the radio and not wanting to start

NHTSA ID
11419132
Incident
May 7, 2021
Visibility
Filed Feb 26, 2016

WIPER BLADES REMAIN IN AN UPWARD POSITION WHILE DRIVING; THIS OCCURRENCE CAUSES VISIBILITY ISSUES DURING HARSH WEATHER CONDITIONS, WHICH MAY RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. THIS ISSUE HAPPENS VERY FREQUENTLY, AND I HAVE TO STEP OUT OF THE VEHICLE TO MANUALLY PUSH THE BLADES DOWN WITH MY HANDS.

NHTSA ID
10838640
Incident
Feb 8, 2016
Visibility
Filed Jan 8, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH FOR THE POWER WINDOWS AND DOOR LOCKS THAT WAS ON THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDOWS WOULD NOT CLOSE NOR WOULD THE DOORS LOCK. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC, WHO ADVISED THAT THE POWER SWITCH EXHIBITED A SHORT CIRCUIT. THE CONTACT WAS ONLY ABLE TO CLOSE THE WINDOW WHEN HE SECURED A PIECE OF METAL INSIDE THE DOOR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 126,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 127,000.

NHTSA ID
10491876
Incident
Dec 11, 2012
Mileage
126,000 mi
ElectricalVisibility
Filed May 15, 2011

FOR THE THIRD TIME A POWER WINDOW "REGULATOR CABLE" HAS BROKEN IN MY CAR, TWICE IN THE DRIVER DOOR (9/29/04 AND 5/15/11) AND ONCE IN THE PASSENGER DOOR (09/15/09), EACH TIME WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON A STREET OR HIGHWAY. NOTHING NOTICEABLE BEFORE WINDOWS DROPPED. HAD TO DRIVE IT TO A DEALER (ONCE FOR SEVERAL HUNDRED MILES). COST OF REPAIRS WERE AS HIGH AS $433. I HAVE OWNED THIS CAR SINCE 11/2001. *TR

NHTSA ID
10400957
Incident
May 15, 2011
Mileage
105,600 mi
Visibility
Filed Feb 2, 2009

AFTER A ICE STORM IN 2008 I ATTEMPTED TO USE MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND THEY PROCEEDED TO GET STUCK IN THE UP POSITION. THIS PAST WEEK AFTER ANOTHER ICE STORM MY WIPERS WERE STUCK IN THE UP POSITION ONCE AGAIN. I KNOW FOR A FACT THAT CLEARED ALL OF THE ICE OFF OF THE WINDSHIELD THIS TIME. AFTER MY DAD FIXED IT ONCE AGAIN, EVERY TIME I TURN THEM ON IN THE INTERMITTENT POSITION WHEN I TURN THEM OFF THEY STOP IN THE UP POSITION. *TR

NHTSA ID
10257228
Incident
Jan 28, 2009
Visibility
Filed Jul 22, 2008

AFTER A HEAVY SNOW, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ON MY 2001 CHEVY IMPALA RETURN TO THE UPRIGHT POSITION WHEN OFF. THE WIPERS WILL NOT STOP IN THE DOWN POSITION. AFTER READING A NUMBER OF OTHER SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET, THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED DEFECT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10235269
Incident
Mar 1, 2008
Mileage
105,000 mi
ElectricalEngineTransmission+1 more
Filed Nov 8, 2007

2001 CHEVY IMPALA ENGINE, RADIATOR AND BATTERY REPLACED. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE FIXED AT HER OWN EXPENSE BECAUSE GM WOULD NOT HELP HER OUT. SHE STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WENT 3 MONTHS AFTER THE ENGINE. *KB THE POWER SWITCH AND SIDE MIRROR WAS REPLACED. *JB

NHTSA ID
10208373
Incident
Nov 1, 2006
Visibility
Filed Nov 22, 2006

REPEATED BROKEN WINDOW MECHANISM IN TWO SEPARATE CHEVROLET CARS IN THE PAST TWO YEARS. *JB

NHTSA ID
10174096
Incident
Nov 17, 2005
Visibility
Filed Mar 14, 2006

2001 IMPALA REAR DEFROSTER DID NOT WORK. THIS WAS CAUSED BY A LOOSE CLIP INSIDE THE WINDOW. *TS *JB

NHTSA ID
10154055
Incident
Jan 1, 1901
ElectricalEngineVisibility
Filed Aug 18, 2005

2001 CHEVROLET IMPALA HAD A CLOGGED CATALYTIC CONVERTER.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR THE VEHICLE LOST PRESSURE WHILE DRIVING UP A HILL, THE BATTERY HAD GONE DEAD WITHOUT WARNING, REAR DEFROSTER SHORTED OUT AND ALMOST INJURED THE CONSUMERS DAUGHTER, THE DOORS SEIZED, THE DRIVER WINDOW SEIZED CONSTANTLY, AND THE FAN BLOWER ONLY WORKED ON 5. *SC

NHTSA ID
10134504
Incident
Jul 30, 2005
Mileage
80,000 mi
ElectricalEngineVisibility
Filed Jun 23, 2004

IN LESS THAN ONE YEAR THE VEHICLE'S CATALYTIC CONVERTER CONVERTER HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE OXYGEN SENSOR MAY HAVE BEEN THE CAUSED OF THE FAILURE. *MR THE DRIVER'S INFORMATION CENTER STOPPEDWORKING, THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW SHATTERED AND THE OXYGEN SENSOR NEEDS TO BE CHECKED AGAIN. *NM

NHTSA ID
10079889
Incident
Jan 1, 1901
Visibility
Filed Apr 16, 2004
Fire reported

RE: 2001 CHEVROLET IMPALA. 2 WEEKS AGO, I HAD MY RADIO ON + CLICKED THE 'REAR DEFROST BUTTON'. IT CAUSED STATIC IN THE RADIO.A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER THIS WAS STILL A PROBLEM BUT NOW THE BATTERY/SECURITY/SERVICE VEHICLE SOON LIGHTS CAME ON IN THAT ORDER REPEATEDLY. I TOOK MY CAR TO MY LOCAL MECHANIC. HE SAID THAT THE RD PROBLEM WAS KNOWN BUT HE COULD NOT FIND THE REASON WHY THE WARNING LIGHTS WERE COMING ON. HE CHECKED ALL CONNECTIVITY, FUSES, GROUND CONTIUITY,ETC TO NO AVAIL. HE RESET THE COMPUTER CODE + FELT THIS MIGHT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. WE NO SOONER LEFT HIS PARKING LOT + THE WARNING LIGHTS CAME BACK ON. HE CHECKED IT AGAIN, AND SURE ENOUGH, NOTHING APPEARED TO BE WRONG. HE SAID THE PROBLEM MAY ACTUALLY BE IN THE 'BODY CONTROL MODULE' ITSELF BECAUSE EVERYTHING ELSE CHECKED OUT. HOWEVER, HE DID INFORM ME THAT THERE WAS NO WAY TO CHECK THE BCM + THAT EVEN THE DEALERS HAD NO WAY OF CHECKING IT. SO NOW I'M SPENDING HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS TO FIX A PART ON THE CAR THAT MAY OR MAY NOT BE THE PROBLEM. I HAVE NO CHOICE THOUGH SINCE I DRIVE 62 MILES A DAY EVERYDAY TO WORK +CAN'T AFFORD TO HAVE WARNING LIGHTS COME ON BY DEFAULT. AS FOR THE REAR DEFOG PROBLEM, THERE IS A TSB ON IT # 030844005A. MY CONCERN IS THAT SINCE MY CAR IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY I'VE BEEN GETTING QUOTES OF NO LESS THAN$600.00 TO FIX THIS. MY CAR WENT OUT OF WARRANTY BASED ON MY MILEAGE.I'VE HAD IT FOR 2.5 YEARS. I FEEL THAT I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO PAY TO GET THIS FIXED. ADDING INSULT TO INJURY, IF I WANT ONSTAR BACK IN MY CAR ITS ANOTHER $400.00. THIS UPSET ME BECAUSE IKNOW THE PRICE OF THIS FEATURE WAS ALREADY BUILT INTO THE PRICE OF THE CAR SO IF I WANT TO BE ABLE TO USE IT I HAVE TO PAY FOR REINSTALLATION.THIS IS WRONG. I BELIEVE THE REAR DEFOG PROBLEM IS A MANUFACTURER PROBLEM AND IF IT ALSO EFFECTS ONSTAR I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO PAY FOR IT. IT IS WRONG FOR THE CONSUMER TO HAVE TO PAY FOR EITHER OF THESE ISSUES REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THE CAR IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY OR NOT BECAUSE IT'S A MANUFACTURER PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ID
10066307
Incident
Mar 31, 2004
Visibility
Filed Jan 5, 2004

THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ON MY 2001 CHEVY IMPALA HAVE STOPPED WORKING. I WAS SPEAKING WITH OTHER IMPALA OWNERS AND THEY HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. I BELIEVE IT IS THE MOTOR. ONE FRIEND HAD TO HAVE THE ITEM FIXED FOUR TIMES IN TWO YEARS. WHY ISN'T THERE A RECALL?*AK

NHTSA ID
10052407
Incident
Jan 5, 2004
Visibility
Filed Dec 4, 2003

THE CONNECTIONS FOR THE REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER BECOME UNSOLDERED FROM THE WINDSHIELD AT THE CONNECTION POINTS ON THE GLASS. I HAVE SEEN THIS ON MY 2001 CHEVROLET IMPALA AND A LATE 90'S CHEVROLET LUMINAS.

NHTSA ID
10049224
Incident
Dec 4, 2003
EngineExterior lightingSuspension+1 more
Filed Jan 2, 2003

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE PASSENGER SIDE HEADLAMP BLEW, THE ROOF MOLDING WAS LIFTING ON BOTH SIDES, THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW LEAKS AIR AND THE WINDOW HITS HARD IN THE TOP OF THE DOOR JAM, WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS THE VEHICLE SHAKES AND THERE IS A CLUNKING NOISE UNDER THE VEHICLE, THE DEALER REPLACED THE STEERING SHAFT AND THE TIE ROD ENDS YET THE PROBLEM STILL EXIST. NLM

NHTSA ID
10001250
Incident
Jun 30, 2001
Visibility
Filed Oct 31, 2002

CONSUMER COMPLAINS OF ODOR COMING FROM VENTING SYSTEM OF VEHICLE. DEALER CLEANED AND DISINFECTED THE SYSTEM, BUT ODOR PERSISTS. MOLD COLLECTS ON THE EVAPORATOR OF VENTING SYSTEM. TS

NHTSA ID
8022004
Incident
Oct 15, 2002
Interior & seatsOther / unspecifiedVisibility
Filed Sep 13, 2001

VEHICLES STALLED IN TRAFFIC, TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO LOOK AT IT AT THAT TIME. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO ANOTHER DEALER, AND THEY SAID THAT WIRES UNDER THE DASH HAD BEEN CUT.*AK ALSO THE REAR DEFROGGER WAS INOPERATIVE, THE OVERHEAD CONSOLE WAS INACCURATE, AND THE DOORS THAT MOVE THE AIRFLOW FROM THE WINDSHILED TO THE FLOOR DID NOT MOVE THE AIR TO THE SPECIFIED AREA, THE DEALER ORDERED AN ACTUATOR FOR THE DOORS AND FOR THE AIRFLOW, AN AFTERMARKET DEVICE THAT WAS INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SUDDENLY STALL WHILE DRIVING. *JB

NHTSA ID
896272
Incident
Sep 7, 2001
Visibility
Filed Mar 21, 2001

REFLECTION FROM DASHBOARD CREATES A BLIND SPOT ON WINDSHIELD DURING DAY AND NIGHT. *AK

NHTSA ID
883618
Incident
Oct 1, 2000

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .